Fürst-Pless-Horn
The Fürst-Pless-Horn , Plesshorn for short , is a brass instrument tuned in Bb and is used as a horn by hunters to start hunting signals and fanfares.
Layout and function
The Fürst-Pless horn is used in various designs as a hunting instrument. As a pure natural horn with a tube length of approx. 130 cm, it has a tonal reserve of normally seven natural tones , whereby with a few exceptions only the five lowest of these tones are used. The lowest note of this is the 2nd natural tone , the fundamental (1st natural tone) is not used because it is very poorly intoned . The good distinguishability of the five commonly used tones is a prerequisite for the clear identification of the various hunting signals, even over long distances in overgrown terrain.
notation
Fürst-Pless horns are transposing instruments and are always notated in C in the treble clef . As a special feature, the 7th partial is not notated as b 2 with the appropriate sign, but as a 2 to keep the notation simpler. For the notes played on the Fürst-Pless-Horn, which are given in the first column in the table below, special designations have been established, which are given in the second column in the table below. In the case of the sounding tones, their deviation in cents from the specified tone in equal tuning is given in brackets :
| Partial tone | designation | ringing tone | notation | Frequency (Hz) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2. | 1st tone | b 0 (± 0) | c 1 | 264 |
| 3. | 2nd tone | f 1 (+2) | g 1 | 396 |
| 4th | 3rd tone | b 1 (± 0) | c 2 | 528 |
| 5. | 4th tone | d 2 (-14) | e 2 | 660 |
| 6th | 5th tone | f 2 (+2) | g 2 | 792 |
| 7th | 6th tone | as 2 (-31) | a 2 | 858 |
| 8th. | 7th tone | b 2 (± 0) | c 3 | 1056 |
Designs
Almost all designs are usually at least partially wrapped with leather cord. This leather strap primarily fulfills an optical function. It also improves grip and protects the hand from being too cold due to the sheet metal with its high thermal conductivity . It also protects the sheet metal somewhat from damage and corrosion from hand perspiration.
A wide nickel silver wreath on the bell rim used to be used as an overblown wreath or simply for mechanical reinforcement, today's concepts give it more of an optical meaning.
From the normal-sized version with a coil diameter of approx. 16 cm there is a valveless natural horn as well as different versions with three valves . The latter has a range like the trumpet or the flugelhorn , the use and action of the valves are accordingly.
The full-size version is in two distinctly different scales manufactured. The wide bore version has a more fundamental tone, it is primarily intended for use as a signaling instrument when hunting. The tightly bored version is richer in overtones and more brilliant. It is mainly used in concert.
Thick-walled (from 0.6 mm) instruments are somewhat less prone to damage (dents in the sheet metal).
In order to be able to tune several horns to each other, they have a tuning slide ( Kluppenzug ) directly behind the mouthpiece. In the case of instruments optimized for hunting use, a tuning slide is sometimes dispensed with in the interests of the robustness of the instrument. These instruments are usually also widely bored and made of thick sheet metal.
As a valveless instrument, a scaled-down "jacket pocket version" is also produced. This instrument does not achieve the sonic brilliance of the normal-sized version and is therefore practically only used as a signaling instrument when hunting. This construction goes back to the singer Professor Carl Clewing , in his memory it is sometimes referred to as Clewing's pocket hunting horn .
The Fürst-Pless-Horn can be blown with a funnel mouthpiece (scale length like a flugelhorn mouthpiece) as well as a kettle mouthpiece (trumpet mouthpiece), whereby the choice of mouthpiece depends practically only on the preferences of the wind player.
Mouthpieces made of plastic or at least with a plastic rim are available for use when hunting. This creates a more pleasant approach at low temperatures and prevents frost damage to the lips with a cold metal mouthpiece at temperatures below 0 ° C.
history
The Fürst-Pless-Horn was named after Hans Heinrich XI from 1880 . , Prince of Pless , the Oberstjägermeister under the emperors Wilhelm I and Wilhelm II , who contributed significantly to its spread. It found its way into the hunt via the hunter and rifle units of the German Armed Forces , which led a circular signal horn to distinguish it from the infantry with their bow horn . The foresters and professional hunters serving in the German armed forces took it with them into civilian life, as did some military signals that were rededicated as hunting signals.
use
The Fürst-Pless horn is still used as a signaling instrument for blowing certain hunting horn signals, the so-called hunting control signals, on company hunts. In addition, the instrument is also used in hunting customs and in concert in so-called wind corps, e.g. B. at Hubertusmessen , here also together with Parforce horns in B , used.
See also
literature
- Uwe Bartels: The Fürst-Pless-Horn and its tradition. Pictures, reports and documents on cultural history . Landbuch-Verlag, Hannover 1999, ISBN 3-7842-0580-1 , ( Jagd-Kultur ).
